Nelson Wolff throws support to underdog

For those of you who are keeping track, District 4 candidate Leticia Cantu is winning the race for endorsements — her list is extensive and includes some big names in San Antonio, from Mayor Julián Castro and his twin brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, to former Mayor Henry Cisneros and Red McCombs and Gene Powell, a developer and the chairman of the University of Texas system’s board of regents.

But Rey Saldaña, who surprised everyone when his Jan. 15 campaign finance report showed that he’d raised more money than Cantu, has picked up a major endorsement — and it’s not because they both share a deep-rooted love for baseball (although, that may have helped a little bit…).

County Judge Nelson Wolff has thrown his support to Saldaña and has sent letters to the local business community seeking financial support for the 24-year-old who teaches in Trinity University’s urban studies department.

“I know I’m going against the grain, but I always try to keep my eye out for bright, young, new talent that could have an effect on our community in the future,” Wolff said. “Certainly Mayor Castro was one of those.”

It’s obvious that Wolff, a Democrat, has spent some time getting to know the candidate — he flawlessly described Saldaña’s resume. Wolff said Saldaña impressed him with “the way he handles himself and by the campaign he’s running.”

The county judge, an ardent baseball fan and player himself, seemed downright smitten with the Stanford grad who played in the College World Series. Saldaña points out he was a second-stringer — behind a guy who now catches for the Houston Astros.

“That’s pretty cool,” Wolff said.

Wolff also said he was drawn to Saldaña because he’s facing an uphill battle.

“I thought he deserved support,” Wolff said. “He wasn’t getting any support from the business community at the time so I said I’d help.”

According to the letter from Wolff, which asks for contributions of $250 or $500, the county judge will help pass the hat for Saldaña at an, um, unnamed exclusive downtown club.